The City of Canton has had a string of 14 arson fires since early 2008. They have increased in frequency and severity over the last few months, with nine of these happening since October 2008. Yesterday’s fire on Gilmore Ave NW left nine firefighters injured; this made of a total of twelve injuries from these fires.

Safety is our number one concern for our firefighters as well as our community. While the department’s Fire Prevention Bureau investigators are working extremely hard to determine the exact manner these fires are being set and by whom, and the line personnel are fighting these fires to contain them and limit their damage, it is a community problem and we need the community to help when possible to stop these fires.

Therefore, we are asking that anyone with information related to a fire, or who sees suspicious activity in or around vacant houses, call 330-489-3400 or 330-649-5800 with that information. There is a reward being offered of up to $5,000 to persons furnishing information leading to the identification of person(s) responsible for setting a fire.